Playing at an online casino is something that a large number of Canadians do each year. It has become an incredibly popular pastime, especially as exposure to online casinos has increased. However, a lot of players tend to overlook some of the legalities when it comes to playing at online casinos, and so we’ve taken a closer look at what you need to know when playing in Canada.
Know the law
When it comes down to it, Canada is significantly more lenient regarding the law than the US. Canada is often seen as a more progressive country than its southern neighbours, offering more trust to its residents in terms of what is allowed. However, there are still some laws that are in place that have to be followed. The biggest impact of the Canadian laws is that offshore casinos are illegal, meaning that only onshore top-class online casinos are available for Canadian players to enjoy legally.
While playing at an offshore casino is illegal, it’s actually extremely unlikely that Canadian players will be charged for doing so, with authorities instead choosing to target those actually running the casino. There have been a number of hefty fines handed out to people who run illegal offshore casinos.
This doesn’t mean that it’s a sensible choice to play at an offshore casino though. There are a number of reasons why it’s safer to play at a legal Canadian casino.
Rights for Canadian players
One of the most important rights in place for Canadian players is that the casino sites need to have the correct infrastructure in place. Keeping Canadian players secure is massively important when playing online. So, there are certain protections in place that make sure that the casino players in Canada are secure. Included in these protections is the assurance that casinos have appropriate encryption in place when players log onto the site, as well as payment protections and data protection laws.
Protection for players doesn’t end there, however, as there is also a range of laws in place to ensure that players are not taken advantage of. One of the most important of these is the need for online casinos to have a full set of terms and conditions in place. This makes sure that everything that the casino carries out is in writing so that players are able to understand what they’re entitled to. An example of this would be when withdrawals can be carried out, with players being made aware in the terms and conditions what wagering requirements are put in place by the casino. This information ensures that players are confident in the casino’s processes before they sign up.
The games that are on offer also have to be completely fair. Legitimate Canadian casinos have to provide official versions of games from software developers. If the casino uses counterfeit versions of the games, then any regulatory license they have in place will immediately be voided. This protects players and makes sure that they only play the legitimate and fair versions of the games.
It also means that regulated payment methods are the only ones that can be used at Canadian online casinos and sportsbooks. This protects players from making payments to untrusted providers, helping to keep them safe and removing the opportunity for scammers to get hold of personal payment data.
How to find the best online casinos
There are a number of different ways to make sure that you find the right online casino to play at. Firstly, and most importantly, you need to research whether the site is legitimate, which means looking over high-quality reviews and seeing what experts have to say about each potential option. This will allow you to learn what the reputation of the site is and whether you can trust it
Secondly, it’s important to look over the games that are available to play. With more games available than ever, choosing the site with the best offerings for you is vital. If you’re a fan of games that require some skill in order to be successful, then a good range of table games is what you should be looking for. If you want big wins and lots of excitement, then video slots may be your best choice. Choosing the right game will allow you to enjoy the online casino experience much more.
You should also look into the different payment methods offered. If a casino doesn’t have the right payment method available for your needs, then perhaps it isn’t the right choice for you. A great example of this would be if you wanted to play with cryptocurrency. It will require the right research in order to find the best site for these needs. Checking the payment methods before you sign up will allow you to make sure that you don’t have to create a new account with a payment provider after signing up.
Looking over the different bonus options is also important. It’s not just about finding a bonus that offers a lucrative reward when signing up. The wagering requirements are also an important aspect to look into. If you want to get a bonus, then making sure that you can achieve the stated conditions will ensure that you can play through your bonus with the opportunity to walk away with a money in hand. Check over all of the terms and conditions first to make sure that you know exactly what has to be completed.
Safety
Safety is the most important part of playing at an online casino. So, you should always look to play at one that is legal and regulated. This will ensure that you can have more trust in the site when playing your game of choice. If a site is not regulated, then should any issues arise, there would be a limit to what can be done about it. In future, before you decide where you will spend your free time, it is always wise to double-check the casino, reviews and regulatory body.
